Tomato 'Chocolate Cherry'

This is my second year growing Chocolate Cherry. It is truly the idiotproof heirloom tomato! And it has a rich, complex flavor that has b...Read Moreecome a local favorite in my neck of the woods.

The first year, we grew several Chocolate Cherry plants alongside other heirlooms in a community garden. Since it was our first year, the whole garden was subjected to almost criminal neglect--the sum total of care amounted to me standing about with a dumb look on my face, gawking at the plants. Chocolate Cherry survived spring drought and early heat that spiked about 10-20 degrees above our average temps. All the other tomatoes developed blossom-end rot. Even under these conditions, Chocolate Cherry steadily produced the most beautiful, delicious fruit we had ever tasted! It continued to produce well into the fall. The only problem I had was a few split tomatoes after a week's worth of hurricanes in August (probably wouldn't have split if I'd picked them when they were first ripe). Even then, we had an ample harvest.

This year, I started my Chocolate Cherries from leftover seed. I killed several batches by trial and error, gave up and decided to sow outdoors. I had no idea what I was doing, and the plants ended up languishing in a sawn-off milk jug, with several dozen seedlings to a pot, until I finally buried them in a tub of soil. Despite my ignorance, I managed to supply several friends with strong baby tomato plants. The vines are now lush and covered with blooms. They are setting fruit as of 2nd week of June, before any other tomato we planted, including ones from the greenhouse. Truly the healthiest plant in my garden.

I was impressed with the appearance, productivity, taste and texture of this cherry tomato. Because of my limited garden space, this pla...Read Morent will replace the YELLOW PEAR tomato I've grown for the past two years.

Planted this in my new greenhouse in Central Oregon at the same time as an early girl (both grown from seed). This thing is
about ...Read Morea foot taller now and threatening the top of the greenhouse and it is only June 1 on a VERY cold (record setting) spring year. It is presently setting fruit. Not as many blossoms as other plants this size but despite it not being a resistant variety, it is the healthiest plant in the greenhouse!

Definitely needs to be started indoors in this climate but sure looks great so far.

Now have the first fruit and the taste is great. It has an interesting, almost citrus-like taste at first bite. Great tomato.

My first year with the Chocolate Cherry, and I'm impressed. It was a much hardier tomato plant than most of my other 20+ varieties. and t...Read Morehese 1- 1 1/8" cherries taste like a really good old fashion tomato to me. And here near Atlanta, I'm still getting a good harvest. As cherry tomatoes go, the plant gets big and produces a medium crop. The plant in my Earth Box, sitting on a concrete parking area, did the best. My only other Chocolate Cherry plant, in a raised bed, had a smaller crop. I probably only get about 5-6 hours of full sun at either location.

I have read that they easily split like most brown tomatoes, but I don't think I had any to split untill they were way over ripe, so I let them get very mature on the vine, although they seem to ripen well inside the kitchen ok too.

Next year I plan to plant many more of these great tasting tomatoes, and look forward to cutting up a handfull for an interesting Tomato Sandwich : )
walt